CODE COMPLIANCECHECKS

An annual inspection is an ongoing maintenance practice — it assesses the current condition of the building's electrical systems, identifies deterioration and safety issues, and tracks findings year-over-year. A code compliance check is a more targeted review that evaluates the building's electrical systems against current code requirements and identifies specific deficiencies that need to be corrected to achieve compliance. The two often overlap, but a compliance check produces a remediation report with cost estimates that is formatted for regulatory, insurance, or transaction purposes — not just a maintenance findings summary.

GFCI protection in laundry rooms, garages, mechanical spaces, and outdoor areas is one of the most common gaps — requirements that have expanded significantly over successive code cycles. Emergency lighting and exit sign battery backup systems that were installed years ago often no longer meet current test and maintenance documentation requirements. Older panels with missing or inadequate labeling, improper breaker configurations, or insufficient working clearance are another frequent finding. We check against current Minnesota electrical code adoptions — not just what the original permit required — so the report reflects the building's actual compliance status today.

For a typical mid-size multifamily property, the on-site inspection takes two to four hours, depending on the number of panels, common areas, and systems to be reviewed. The written report is delivered within a few days of the inspection and includes a description of each finding, the applicable code requirement it relates to, the remediation needed, and a cost estimate for that correction. Findings are prioritized by urgency — safety-critical items are clearly distinguished from lower-priority compliance updates — so the board can make informed decisions about sequencing and budgeting without treating every item as equally pressing.

Yes, and most boards prefer to handle it that way. We already know the building from the compliance check, which means remediation estimates are accurate and the work proceeds without a separate site visit to reassess what was already documented. For properties with a significant remediation scope, we can sequence the work to address safety-critical items first and complete lower-priority corrections on a timeline that fits the board's budget cycle.

A compliance check covers all accessible common area electrical systems — panels, feeders, common area wiring, exterior wiring, emergency systems, and equipment rooms. It does not include individual unit interiors, which are typically the responsibility of unit owners rather than the HOA. For common area systems, it is a thorough review — but it is a visual and operational inspection, not a destructive investigation. Conditions concealed inside walls or in inaccessible spaces may not be identifiable without additional diagnostic work, and we note that clearly in the report where it applies.